Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 477,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 477,692 cutting edge ideas.

41 Solar Social Business Innovations

From Custom-Printed Sustainable Tees to Clean Tech Nonprofits

— June 2, 2013 — Social Good
These solar social business innovations meld clean and renewable sources of energy with social entrepreneurship and people-oriented projects in an effort to lay claim to what is now known as the triple bottom line.

The most replicated of models in this list (although not entirely ubiquitous) is the solar lamp or lantern, which often uses a "business in a bag" idea in order to replace dangerous kerosene lamps with LED or solar alternatives that cost less, last longer and create markets in the targeted community. From custom-printed sustainable printing services to clean tech non-profit-organizations, these solar social business innovations span a variety of industries and techniques -- and some are less typical than you'd think, for instance, Tropical Wholefoods, which uses solar drying technology to produce their fair trade snacks.
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
41
Market-Oriented Energy Charities
Market-Oriented Energy Charities
SolarAid Hopes to Get Rid of Kerosene Lamps in Africa by 2020
<
40
Ambitious Altruistic Energy Ventures
Ambitious Altruistic Energy Ventures
Barefoot Power Provides Affordable Renewable Light Sources
<
39
Carbon Offsetting Cookstoves
Carbon Offsetting Cookstoves
The Paradigm Project Offers A Safe Alternative to Open Fire
<
38
Mission-Focused Mentorship
Mission-Focused Mentorship
Global Social Benefit Incubator Launched Kiva, VisionSpring
<
37
Illuminating Lifesavers
Illuminating Lifesavers
The Solar-Powered BoGo Light Promotes World Growth and Sustainment
<
36
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Solar Works Strives for Business & Homeowner Self-Reliance
<
35
Carbon-Neutral Chocolate Bars
Carbon-Neutral Chocolate Bars
Gru Grococo Makes Going Green Delicious
<
34
Micro-Entrepreneurial Kits
Micro-Entrepreneurial Kits
Living Goods Provides Affordable Necessities in Uganda
<
33
Community Solar Bonds
Community Solar Bonds
SolarShare Co-op Offers Impact Investors Triple Bottom Line Benefits
<
32
Custom-Printed Sustainable Tees
Custom-Printed Sustainable Tees
TS Designs Adheres to the Triple Bottom Line
<
31
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Sun Light & Power Offers Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy
<
30
Neighborhood  Energy Farms
Neighborhood Energy Farms
Community Solar Gardens are Sprouting Up Everywhere
<
29
Rechargeable Solar Lights
Rechargeable Solar Lights
One Million Lights Wants to Replace Dangerous Kerosene Lamps
<
28
Holistic Farming Companies
Holistic Farming Companies
Coombe Farm Comprises of Enterprises and Business Partnerships
<
27
Maternal Health Marketplaces
Maternal Health Marketplaces
Maternova is a Socially Driven For-Profit Making Products Available
<
26
Social Entrepreneurship Retreats
Social Entrepreneurship Retreats
Hollyhock SVI Supports Mission-Based Businesses and Founders
<
25
Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Cost-Efficient Solar Kits
Learning Lights Produces Eco-Friendly Power Solutions for Countries
<
24
Global Microfinance Networks
Global Microfinance Networks
FINCA Provides Financial Services to Low-Income Entrepreneurs
<
23
Group Solar Deals
Group Solar Deals
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) Helps Neighbours Get Discounts on Green Energy
<
22
Illuminated Education Incentives
Illuminated Education Incentives
Selco Solar Provides Developing Countries an Opportunity
<
21
Sustaining Rural Development
Sustaining Rural Development
Barefoot College Supports Professionals in the Majority World
<
20
Portable Solar-Powered Chargers
Portable Solar-Powered Chargers
The Waka Waka is an Eco-Friendly Portable Phone Charger
<
19
Incubating Himalayan Innovation
Incubating Himalayan Innovation
'One Earth Designs' Promotes Eco and Social Entrepreneurship
<
18
Affordable Solar Light Alternatives
Affordable Solar Light Alternatives
WAKAWAKA is an Innovative Lamp for Those Without Electricity
<
17
Isolated Social Enterprise Models
Isolated Social Enterprise Models
BRAC is a Global Organization Boasting a Bottom-up Method
<
16
Experience-Creating Cleaners
Experience-Creating Cleaners
The Eco Laundry Room Has a Cafe, Kid's Play Area and Free WiFi
<
15
Energy-Generating Fitness Clubs
Energy-Generating Fitness Clubs
The Green Microgym in Portland, OR is Powered by Your Workout
<
14
Sustainable Shade Systems
Sustainable Shade Systems
Skyshade is an Indian Social Business Capturing the Sun
<
13
Low-Cost Solar Lanterns
Low-Cost Solar Lanterns
D.Light Design Wins Ashden Award for a Lamp Brighter than Kerosene
<
12
Savvy Inflatable Solar Lamps
Savvy Inflatable Solar Lamps
The LuminAID Light Is Affordable, Waterproof and Last 3 Years
<
11
Design-Focused LED Lanterns
Design-Focused LED Lanterns
‘d.light’ Offers Affordable Solar Lamps to Rural Communities
<
10
Fair Trade Dried Goods
Fair Trade Dried Goods
Tropical Wholefoods Works with Farmers from All Over the World
<
9
Energy Poverty Entrepreneurs
Energy Poverty Entrepreneurs
Solar Sister Targets Women to Sell Lamps and Improve Livelihoods
<
8
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Angaza Design Makes Clean Energy Accessible Off the Grid
<
7
$20-Per-Month Homes
$20-Per-Month Homes
Each WorldHaus is Built in 10 Days and is Designed for the World's Rural Poor
<
6
Helmet Vending Machines
Helmet Vending Machines
The 'Helmethub' Dispenses Helmets to Riders Renting Bikes
<
5
Carbon-Negative Stoves
Carbon-Negative Stoves
Inyenyeri Uses Crowdsourced Biofuel to Transform Energy Systems in Rwanda
<
4
Ethical Undergarment Production
Ethical Undergarment Production
Flint and Tinder Produces Locally Made Men's Underwear
<
3
DIY Battery Manufacturing Kits
DIY Battery Manufacturing Kits
The Solar Pocket Factory is Tiny Idea That Shines Bright
<
2
Pay-as-You-Go Energy
Pay-as-You-Go Energy
Simpa Networks Offers Solar Power to Underserved Markets in India
<
1
Sustainable Hipster Fashion
Sustainable Hipster Fashion
'Threads for Thought' is Eco and Donates Proceeds for Good
<